Sunday 17th March 2013

The St Patricks Day massacre at The Amex. It was a horrible day for all related to Crystal Palace, but it made that day in May all the sweeter.

Holloway’s men started brightly and were by far the better team for the opening half an hour, but all it took was one Brighton goal and the world collapsed around our ears.

Leonardo Ulloa (43) headed home just before the break and this wouldn’t have been a disastrous half-time score, but on the stroke of half-time, David Lopez (45+3) curled a free-kick in off the underside of the bar – a goal that would later win Brighton’s goal of the season. Every time they watch their goal of the season, they have to sit there and ponder how, ultimately, it was utterly pointless.

Ulloa (50) added a third shortly after the break and, for once, Brighton had the bragging rights in the M23 derby.

In the aftermath, there was meltdown amongst Palace fans and the finger was pointed at Holloway, who was seen to play down the importance of the match, calling the rivalry “nonsense”. He learned and made up for it in May.